Double the efficiency of existing buildings and make heating fuels cleaner.

Here at CLCV, we've been front-and-center for every statewide environmental proposal (large or small) since 1972. In other words, we've been at this long enough to know the difference between a promise and a pander. Yet critics are already saying that the goals are too ambitious, unrealistic, and destined to fail.

In the end, it's going to come down to the California State Legislature, and every lawmaker who feels pressure from oil and polluting interests will try to claim that voters in their districts don't care about climate change.

“Taking significant amounts of carbon out of our economy without harming its vibrancy is exactly the sort of challenge at which California excels. This is exciting, it is bold and it is absolutely necessary if we are to have any chance of stopping potentially catastrophic changes to our climate system… California, as it does in many areas, must show the way. We must demonstrate that reducing carbon is compatible with an abundant economy and human well-being. So far, we have been able to do that.”

As the governor points out, we in California are well on our way to meeting our goal, outlined in our 2006 Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32), of reducing carbon pollution and limiting the emissions of heat-trapping gases to 431 million tons by the year 2020.

The new plan isn't too ambitious. It's the next logical step, and you can count me in.

2016 California Environmental Scorecard

New for the 2016 legislative session: The 43rd annual California Environmental Scorecard rates elected officials on 2016, another successful year for the environment in spite of heavy opposition from polluting industry.